Types of Grafts

Tissue that is taken from one part of the body and used on a different part of the body in the same individual.

Advantage

Tissue will be accepted by the body because it is from itself and will not elicit and immune response. The tissue will not be viewed as a foreign object and attacked.

Disadvantage

The donor site will be painful, may become infected and will scar

Allograft

A tissue graft from a human donor that is not the recipient

Advantage

Prevents the need of a second surgery to harvest the donor tissue

Disadvantage

Can stimulate an immune response rejecting the graft; increase risk of disease transfer

Apligraft

Keratinocytes and fibroblasts derived from neonatal human foreskin

Dermagraft

Cryopreserved human fibroblast within a mesh scaffold

Oasis

Porcine derived extracellular matrix

Integra

Bovine derived collagen and glycosaminoglycan in a silicone matrix

Epifix

Human amniotic membrane derived cells

Cadaveric graft

A type of graft where tissue is transferred from a deceased individual to living recipient. The tissue is treated to prevent the transmission of diseases and prevent rejection of the transplant

Embryonic graft

This is a newer development of allografts where embryonic stem cells are used to grow skin that can be transplanted to a recipient. Embryonic skin heals without scarring, however it is underdeveloped and lack the same components as adults skin. Further research is being conducted on the use of embryonic grafts. The next generation of allografts are stem cell derived.